In the modern day’s hustle of career and family life, women often tend to neglect their own health. Since they are the pillars of the family, it is of utmost importance to take care of their health. Otherwise, it affects the quality of life of the women and her family as well.
Due to inadequate physical activity, stress, dietary irregularities, mental health issues, women suffer from a range of health issues like precocious puberty, PCOS, Infertility, menstrual issues to menopausal issues.
For better understanding, women’s health issues can be classified as below –
Precocious puberty is early menarche where a girl child starts her first menstruation below the age of 10 years. Menstrual disorders are related to the menstrual problems such as irregular periods, prolonged bleeding, dysmenorrhea etc, due to an underlying cause. Infertility in females is being unable to conceive even after 1 year of married life. Some of the common causes for these issues excluding hereditary predisposition are improper diet, improper & inadequate sleep, lack of physical exercise, reduced exposure to sunlight, fresh air, fresh water (rich in minerals) and stress.
To handle all these, one can follow Mitahara (Yogic diet), Dynamic yogic practices including stretching asanas, strengthening asanas, pranayamas, relaxation techniques, and meditation.
All the above practices, not only helps in regulating menstrual cycle and but also brings out hormonal balance. These practices strengthen the pelvic muscles and reduces stress by sympathovagal balance via HPA (Hypothalamo-Pitutary-Adrenal) axis.
Pregnancy is the time where more care should be given to the expecting mother. Studies have shown that the expecting mother will be more likely to have stress and anxiety in terms of her unborn baby. Hence, along with physical health, mental health should also be given adequate importance.
Yogic practices like Pranayama, Relaxation techniques, Pelvic strengthening asanas, Meditation, Yogic counselling will not only promote positive health & lifestyle but also improves health of the foetus. At the same time the above practices shall also have a good impact during the delivery of the foetus and increases the chances of normal delivery along with managing the stresses of the lady. (Curtis, 2012)
Menopause is the natural cessation of menstruation for more than 12 months between the age of 45 – 55 years. Decreased levels of Oestrogen hormone in the body manifests in the form of symptoms like mood swings, irritability, anxiety or depression, sleep issues, hot flushes etc.
To alleviate these symptoms, one can follow yogic diet including more of nuts and seeds (seed cycling) for phytoestrogens and yogic practices like Special sleep technique for sleep issues, pranayama, suryanamaskars, meditation, mantra Chanting, strengthening practices, and relaxation techniques.
To understand the recent research findings about the benefits of yoga on women, you may all read the below mentioned research papers -
Yoga not only takes care of the physical health but also the mental and emotional aspect. It promotes positive health along with improving self-confidence, self-esteem and decision making. Thereby empowering the women. Hence, Yoga should be imbibed from childhood through school curriculum.
Dr Gurudatta H K, BNYS, FCRSW, Founder, Anandamaya Wellness Center
Dr Aishwarya P, (BNYS), Intern, S-VYASA University